Dusty's 'time' has almost come *UPDATE post #39, she's gone*

[Medusa]

This makes me so sad. You can see her feelings in her eyes, sweet girl. We say that we'll know when the time is right but sometimes we don't know because, as your vet said, they look 'deceivingly good'. Look at it this way: Dusty will spend her last days camping w/you, doing what she loves, in a place she loves w/the person she loves the most. How we wish that for all our furkids and for our humans, too. Trust your instincts and your vet. If you feel Dusty's quality of life is suffering, then you'll know what to do. And you also know that everyone here at PT is sending out lots of prayers for Dusty and you. Enjoy your time together in peace.

[Catlady711]

This morning was much better. Dusty's pain pills kicked in, the temp/humidity was lower, and her Lasix did it's job. When I went in her room she was up on the cat condo looking out the window. I haven't seen her up there in a long time. She jumped right down and meowed hello when I came in, and ate her breakfast with more enthusiasm than I've seen in a while, although she doesn't eat much, she eats frequently. You should see her crunchy food bowl. It's a mish-mesh of stuff, 3 kinds of treats and 3 kinds of cat food, whatever my baby wants.

I'm getting our stuff together to go to the campground tonight. Whatever Dusty wants we can do whether it's riding on the golf cart, taking a short walk around the site, or just sitting under the awning enjoying a peaceful evening.

I already set up the appointment for Thurs. July 5 at 4:20 to have her PTS. Even if she's doing better I've made the decision that I'd rather remember her last days with her feeling good, rather than wait until she has another night like Wed. night or worse. I'm already in tears just typing this. If I even think about her being gone, or hear a sad song I start crying and she's not even gone yet.

I've been taking alot of pix and video of her the last couple days.

A friend of mine has an album that has a song that not only brings me to tears, but is just so appropriate. I thought I'd share the lyrics with you. He is an irish folk song singer, and his music is very traditional celtic folk music. She picked up his album when he was a street singer in Florida a few years ago.


I have to listen to it to type out the lyrics, so I'm gonna be crying through this whole thing, hope I don't drown your computers.

Album: Raised On Songs And Stories
Song: DON'T CRY FOR ME
Artist: IAN MILLER

Just take me out to the sea
Let me go with the breeze I'm free
I'll sail in the Heavens
hand in hand with my love

And you will know in your heart
Where I'll be It's all a part of life
So don't cry for me

Watch me sail off through the clouds
Feel my heart, hear it sing out loud
Watch me dance, I can dance on the silver linings

Watch me fly and hear me sing
All the peace, the joy, the love will bring
It's my time, so don't cry for me

Don't look behind
I'll be sailing around the universe
And the stars they'll be watching over you

And I know that you'll be fine
You and yours can have peace of mind
It's my time, so don't cry for me

I've lived a life that's full
The ups and downs
And still somehow my heart wants to sing out every morning

So now my days are done
I'll just sail out into the sun
It's my time Don't cry for me

Don't look behind
I'll be sailing around the universe
And the stars they'll be watching over you

And I know You'll be fine
You and yours can have peace of mind
It's my time, so don't cry for me

[Medusa]

I'm sure you've made the right decision. I probably would do the same thing, all things considered. As for the song, ya gotta love the Irish. They can really tear at your heartstrings. My ex-boyfriend is Irish and he knew how to do it, believe me. But the lyrics are beautiful and the sentiment is, too.

[dionne]

Catlady711-

As of late, I haven't really been responding on any of the threads, but then I started to read your posting.

I'm looking at Abby right now, and I could not even begin to IMAGINE the pain you are feeling about your decision. I know it was a very hard decision for you. The only thing I can say, is just know that you made the right decision, and regardless of who tells you when you "should have", you are making the decision now, and it is the best possible thing for your beautiful girl.

All you can do at this point is just cherish the time you have left with her, and make sure she's comfortable. I am so glad that her last days are good for her.

Take care. You and Dusty are in my thoughts.

Dionne

[pitc9]

Please know that you are in my thoughts.

Earlier this month I made the decision to help my parent’s dog to the bridge. She was 13 and could no longer use one of her hind legs.

I went to the house to see her on a Tuesday night and the second I looked into her eyes I knew she was tired and ready for her trip.
I had a vet come to the house the very next day and her passing was very peaceful and comfortable.

She'll appreciate her last few days being filled with special times and special treats too I'm sure.
{{hugs}} to you.

[slick]

Major LES going on here too. A decision like this is never easy to make. For selfish reasons we want to hold off as long as possible, yet it hurts too much to see our beloved pet suffer. For what it's worth, I think you are making the right decision.

Hold her and kiss her....once for each Pet Talker. After you get home from camping, you'll need to take some time to adjust to life without Dusty but know that we are here, waiting to see some pictures so we, too, can say good-bye to your dear sweet kitty.

Big {{{hugs}}} and try to enjoy your weekend.

PS: Will you have the vet come to your home?? That's what I did with Speckles and it was comforting to hold her in my arms as she whisked away to the Rainbow Bridge.

[AbbyMom]

Thank you for giving her the final gift. I'm crying too hard right now to write more, but please believe me when I say you're doing the right thing.

[CathyBogart]

*Hugs* for you and Dusty. She is such a lovely lady, and she's lucky to have had you all these years.

[Medusa]

How loving and wise of you to take Dusty to the campground one last time. What wonderful, bittersweet memories you'll have that will make you smile. Give her a gentle hug for me and my fur posse.

[Pawla]

You and Dusty are in my thoughts and prayers. I will be thinking of you both often this week. I'm so sorry. Dusty has been a lucky lady to have had you all these years, and you to have had her. Sounds like you will have lots of good times with her to remember.

[Donnaj4962]

Oh my... here I am at work, LES at my desk as I read about your trip this weekend. How bittersweet that must have been for all of you. I LOVE the one of Dusty sitting in her basket, checking everything out. So sweet. And I am sure one you will cherish for years to come.

Hugs to you and Dusty. I know Thursday will be hard for you. You will be in my prayers.

[Taz_Zoee]

Major LES here. I was smiling through tears while reading the lyrics to that song. That is very appropriate.
Enjoy your last days with your baby. You will be in my thoughts.

[jennielynn1970]

Oh my... tears are pouring down my face and onto the laptop. Those lyrics are just beautiful.

Before fostering, I've never had to make the decision to have any pet PTS, my parents always did it. The past year I've had to make that choice for two very special boys. My sweetheart Bear will have crossed the bridge one year ago on July 5th. I was just thinking about him and how it's been almost a year, and how much I miss him. He was my big softy, the sweetest boy in the world. It was so hard to see him go down hill, and have nothing work for him, but even harder was when I didn't know he was even sicker than I knew. They are excellent at hiding their illnesses, and I think they know how much we hurt for them.

Make Dusty's last weekend a good one! I hope you both enjoy camping together. I'm sure she'll appreciate every moment spent with you.

Bless you both, and I'll be thinking of the both of you. {{BIG HUGS}}

[Pawla]

Hope you all have a good weekend camping. I'm not worried about you drowning my computer, I seem to be doing that by myself!

[catmandu]

That of course is the hardest thing we have to do is knowing when Our Beloved Companions are no longer well and when its time to say goodbye.
If its too soon you feel as though you have deprived them of life. If its too late then you feel badly that they have suffered.
Thats wonderful that you will have this final camping trip and a chance to say all the things that you have always wanted to say to Dusty.
We are saying Prayers for you all.